Woody Durham, former voice of Tar Heels, dead at 76

Woody Durham, voice of the Tar Heels, dies at 76.

CHAPEL HILL, NC (WTVD) -- On Wednesday, the family of Woody Durham, the former voice of the Tar Heels, announced that he had died at the age of 76.

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The family said he passed away around 12:45 a.m. peacefully in his home from primary progressive aphasia (PAP) after being admitted to hospice care earlier in the week.

For 40 years, Durham was the Tar Heel's translator - putting the team's every action into words.

Mark talks with Wes Durham

In June, he wrote a letter to the community, revealing he was battling a progressive disease - PAP - that affects his ability to communicate.

A cruel irony for the man whose voice had been his calling card.

Woody Durham speaking at a roast held in his honor.none

Woody Durham (right) and Duke play-by-play sports announcer Bob Harris (left) in front of video production truck. Probably taken in Chapel Hill.none

Woody Durham, Jim Valvano, Jim Heavner, and Mike Krzyzewski at UNC-Virginia game during 1981.none

Jim Valvano, Woody Durham, UCLA Head Basketball Coach (1948-1975) John Wooden at ACC Basketball Tournament in Atlanta.none

Michael Jordan embracing Woody Durham at the University Award ceremony for Dean Smith in Chapel Hill.none

UNC sports announcer Woody Durham interviewing UNC basketball player Warren Martin.none

Bob Quincy (UNC Sports Information Director, 1962-1966); Bill Dooley (UNC Head Football Coach, 1967-1977), Woody Durham (UNC Sports Broadcaster, 1971-Present).none

Curry Kirkpatrick, Woody Durham, Mick Mixon, Patrick Sullivan (left to right) on sidelines during an NCAA Final Four, possibly in 1993.none

UNC football star Charlie Justice, sports announcer Woody Durham, and UNC Athletics Director John Swofford during a "Roast and Toast."none

Woody Durham, John Swofford, Charlie Justice, and Dick Baddour (left to right) at an unknown event held at the UNC-Chapel Hill Alumni Center.none

Born in Mebane, Durham cut his broadcasting teeth in Albemarle alongside fellow legend and eventual longtime voice of the Blue Devils, Bob Harris.

In those moments, he famously prodded Heels fans to "go where you go, and do what you do." more often than not, it worked.

Durham graduated from UNC in 1963 and was the voice of the Tar Heels from 1971-2011.

In 2011, the 13-time North Carolina Sportscaster of the year and member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame decided 40 years were enough and retired.

In 2015, he received the highest honor in basketball broadcasting - the Bob Cousy Award from the Naismith Hall of Fame.

The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association will honor Durham at the 2018 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament with the Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award, recognizing the grace and dignity with which in recent years he publicly dealt with PAP, school officials said in a news release.

"Our family is grateful for the incredible support my dad and our family received throughout his illness," said Wes Durham. "From the medical teams to the general public, it's been amazing. We hold to and will always cherish the wonderful memories he left for our family and Carolina fans throughout the world."

"It's a very sad day for everyone who loves the University of North Carolina because we have lost someone who spent nearly 50 years as one of its greatest champions and ambassadors," said UNC men's basketball coach Roy Williams. "My heart goes out to Jean, Wes, Taylor and their entire family.

What Durham leaves is a legacy - the legacy of his excellence, yes, but a living legacy as well in his sons Wes and Taylor, who followed their father into broadcasting.

While Durham is now silent, his voice will live on.

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